His answer may have provided a little more insight into their relationship.

"No, that's not really how I do it. (Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy) knows about those,"Kiffin said. "Those things come up, and everybody has different ways of dealing with them. It's just not really how I do it.I'm not really big on humiliating assistant coaches in front of everybody. I write down notes. In the staff meeting, I explain what we want to get done."

Kiffin and Saban's relationship has been well-documented, right down to the former's premature resignation as Alabama's offensive coordinator. Saban, a notorious stickler for details and a dictator on the sidelines, has been known to give Kiffin "ass-chewings" in the middle of a crowded stadium.

Kiffin's stay at Alabama wasn't all bad: He led the Crimson Tide offense to record-breaking heights, helping the team to three consecutive SEC championship games, three College Football Playoff berths and a national title. But some things, it seems, still weight heavy on the former Alabama OC.